The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is located in the Patient Care Service and is an integral part of a team of nursing staff that plan and implement a full range of practical nursing care for Veterans. Performance of duties requires exceptional knowledge, experience, and skill to carry out patient care assignments which involve performing non-standard and specialized practical nursing activities for critically ill psychiatric, medical and/or geriatric patients.

Duties

Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Actively contributes to nursing and/or interdisciplinary team conferences, exchanging information about patient needs and condition, and assists in the nursing management of patients with complex problems. Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients with complex problems according to nursing standards and Medical Center policy and procedure. This includes, but is not limited to: Bathing, showering, oral care, shaving, feeding, turning, and positioning, and ambulating. Identify/apply age specific considerations the geriatric population is prone to dry skin and requires lubrication. Performs work in a safe manner providing a safe environment for patients, self, and other staff, for example, using universal precautions, isolation procedures, and body mechanics. Following competency verification, performs phlebotomy. Collecting and labeling specimens, e.g. blood, sputum, urine, stool. Performing enterostomal care, perineal care, administering enemas and colostomy irrigations. Providing bowel/bladder training, applying external urinary devices, performing bladder catheterization. Carries out respiratory treatments such as postural drainage, chest physiotherapy; sets up and initiates oxygen therapy, including nebulization treatments; instructs patient in use of incentive spirometer; monitors and records observations of chest tubes and pleurovacs; assembles water sealed chest drainage systems. Providing oral, nasopharyngeal, and tracheal suctioning, tracheostomy care, administering oxygen. Providing complex wound care management and treatments. Providing for lifting, moving, transferring, and/or transporting patients. Using patient lifting devices, pressure relief mattresses, electronic scales, feeding pumps and IV pumps. Applying protective/supporting devices or restraints under the direction of the RN or medical provider. Applying abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, ace bandages, hyper/hypothermia blankets, and alternating pressure boots. Providing post-mortem care per Nursing/Patient Care Services policy and procedure. Administering nasogastric tube feedings. Recognizes and initiates emergency measures consistent with training. Implements established care plans. Recommends modification to the care and/or treatment plan as needed. Recognizes progress or subtle changes in the patient's behavior and/or physical condition and initiates appropriate action. Uses identified learning needs to provide patient teaching and documents teaching in the medical record. Teaching may include diabetic self-care, activities of daily living, coughing, deep breathing, suctioning and tracheostomy care, self administration of medication as directed by the registered nurse. Performs such diagnostic procedures as TPR, B/P, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, I&O, heights, weights, finger-sticks, breathalyzer, and EKGs. Performs narcotic count as per policy/procedure and immediately notifies the Charge RN of discrepancies. Administers oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications. Administers immunizations independently upon completion of Immunization competency. Makes frequent rounds on patients, noting environment, changes in patient's behavior and/or physical condition. Observes, documents, and reports unpredictable behavior that may lead to violence, potential for injury related to wandering or fall risk. Uses diversional activities to promote restraint-free environment. Monitors patients who require group status such as suicide precautions, patients with potential for injuring self or others. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00034-F, 667-00035-F, 667-00036-F, 667-00037-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approve by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Exceptions include: (1) Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment, (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. License: Must have a full, current, active and unrestricted license as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16. Grade Determinations: GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license. GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR (b) Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures; OR (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-05: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-04 level or equivalent. Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-06: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5LPN/LVN: Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/ family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G -13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard.

Education

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS03 to GS06.

Preferred Experience: At least one (1) year Telehealth experience with technology applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, CPRS, Vista, and Vista GUI preferred. Three (3) years plus of LPN experience. Previous experience with Tele-Eye, Tele-Derm, Clinical Video and VA Video Connect Telehealth preferred but not required. Previous experience with smart phones/pads and ability to provide support, education, and troubleshooting. Must have excellent organizational skills and be detailed oriented. Excellent written/verbal communication skills and ability to interact with professionals/stakeholders at all levels of the medical facility in a professional manner.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 510 East Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101 US
• Name: Theresa Morehart
• Phone: 501-522-4386
• Email: [email protected]